London life indeed did suck me in (hope you enjoyed the
silence). But if you think I’ve given up on my Brazilian Dream, think again. I
am living it, every day, here under the grey sky, where the weather is cold and
the beer is warm.
My
BF finally came to the UK, 3 months after my return (!), and he is here is to
stay. In the UK I mean, and hopefully by my side. And no, we didn’t have to
marry. He would have it stamped on his
forehead that he is now Portuguese as well, if he could. That’s why it took so
bloody long! So,
I now speak Portuguese more than my mother tongue* (I even dream in Portuguese,
for those of you who’ve asked me about it) or even English, and my exploration
of Brazilian music has gained new heights. We rehearse regularly (did I ever
say he’s a flippin’ good guitarist?), that is, if we manage to find time in our
crazy, mutually exclusive timetables.
I continue to sing with Paraíso Samba School, doing gigs at least once a month**; not that it’s terribly creative – those enredos really are repetitive, mas uma coisa é*** – it’s good fun! I may come home nearly deaf, having stood next to the bateria during the show, hardly being able to hear my own thoughts, let alone my voice, but there seems to be a direct link between the intensity of rhythmic drumming and the level of endorphins in my brain. That’s why I do it. Oh, and also so that I can say I belong... Hey, you will surely agree that passing all these delirious crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival, waving at them while trying not to drop the mic, and basically giving it all, is not something you do every day. OK, I do it every year (this was my 3rd time) and I am still not bored.
I continue to sing with Paraíso Samba School, doing gigs at least once a month**; not that it’s terribly creative – those enredos really are repetitive, mas uma coisa é*** – it’s good fun! I may come home nearly deaf, having stood next to the bateria during the show, hardly being able to hear my own thoughts, let alone my voice, but there seems to be a direct link between the intensity of rhythmic drumming and the level of endorphins in my brain. That’s why I do it. Oh, and also so that I can say I belong... Hey, you will surely agree that passing all these delirious crowds at the Notting Hill Carnival, waving at them while trying not to drop the mic, and basically giving it all, is not something you do every day. OK, I do it every year (this was my 3rd time) and I am still not bored.
Photo by
bellaphon
Can it get more
Brazilian than parading in the carnival? Yes it can. Taking part in the
Olympics closing ceremony beats it. Damn hard. And frankly, that deserves a
separate post. Promise! A little teaser beneath, but what I want to say is –
you will now be hearing news from Brazilian London. One thing though; I will be
absolutely subjective, partial, biased and frank. If something deserves my
praise, it will get it, if it’s below any standards, I won’t think twice about
tearing it to pieces. You’ve been warned.
*Polish
**usually at Guanabara, the next one is this Saturday! http://www.paraisosamba.co.uk/events/
***one of my BF’s favourite
phrases, which simply means “one
thing for sure”
